Iraq reopens border posts with Jordan and Syria

The Iraqi Interior Ministry has announced the reopening of three border ports with Jordan and Syria in the western Anbar province. One of the ports, the Al-Qaem border port, was closed several months ago after Free Syria Army took control of the Syrian area.  A source from Trebil port said that the reopening process will also involve replacing the 23 customs officers currently working at the port. Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday. "Border crossings will resume normal work regarding the entry and exit of goods to and from Iraq on Friday morning," the statement said. Maan added that "Trebil border port will be the first port to recieve goods, followed by the ports of Al-Waleed and Al-Qaem." He also said that the crossings were opened "in the presence of the Director General of border crossings, Essam el-Helw." A senior source told Arabstoday that the decision to reopen the ports came after "management carried out an investigation upon the request of the government and sacked 23 customs officers, replacing them with new employees."